Human papillomavirus (HPV) affects epithelial cells and has a particle diameter of 55 nm. A particular feature is the proliferation of the epithelium of the skin as well as the mucous membranes. At the initial stage, the pathogen usually affects the basal cells of the epithelium, penetrating them through microtrauma. Localized papillomas are usually found on the skin of the neck, armpits, groin and genitals (most often), on the oral mucosa and on the nasopharynx.
This virus can exist for many years without symptoms. To detect HPV, electron microscopy or molecular hybridization methods are used.
Types of human papilloma virus
In humans, there is HPV, which affects the mucous membranes and skin. Among the large number of papillomaviruses, species with low and high oncogenic risk are distinguished. It has been proven that oncogenic properties are associated with the ability to integrate DNA into the genome of human cells.
The virus is activated in 10 to 20% of cases. Depending on its type, it can cause benign or malignant lesions. Some HPV are not oncogenic. They lead to the appearance of warts and genital warts. The most common are HPV 6 and 11.
HPV oncogenes are those which present a high risk of developing cancerous lesions, particularly in the cervix or anus. As for the skin, HPV 16 and 18, as well as 5 and 8, which can lead to skin cancer, are more common. The most common form of cancer caused by HPV is cervical cancer. But men can also be infected with the papilloma virus, which in the worst cases causes cancer of the penis or anus.
Women are often faced with HPV 16 - this is a form in which introsomal parasitism is observed, that is, outside the cellular chromosome (benign). HPV 18 has a high risk of developing cancer - benign tumors are formed first, which after a while develop into cancer. Virions in this case have tiny sizes (up to 30 nm).
- cervical neoplasms;
- invasive or pre-invasive oncology;
- genital warts of the urinary tract and genitals.
Characteristics of the infection
The human papilloma virus is very contagious. It is generally transmitted by direct contact, skin to skin or mucous membrane to mucous membrane, with an infected person. For a genital infection, this most often occurs during vaginal or oral sex. Having a large number of sexual partners or other STIs (sexually transmitted infections) increases the risk. Indirect transmission through contaminated objects, clothing or bedding is also possible but quite rare.
In 7% of cases, transmission of the virus from mother to child can occur during childbirth, when the infection is active. The risk increases by up to 40% if infected with HPV 16 or 18.
By penetrating the epithelium and violating its integrity, papillomavirus infection promotes the growth of the lower layer of epithelial cells in the form of condylomas or warts. This form of the disease is contagious and spreads quickly to others. As a rule, warts and condyloma do not metastasize and often disappear spontaneously.
HPV symptoms
The incubation period lasts up to 9 months (on average 3 months). HPV can be present in the body without obvious symptoms. The virus can go unnoticed for months or even years. Even at this stage, it’s contagious.
Skin warts usually appear in groups and increase in number when scratched. The two most common forms of papillomas are either grayish, hard, raised with a broken surface (common wart), or flat and reddish (flat wart). Thorny warts appear on the soles of the feet or on the heels, grow inwards and are therefore often painful.
- Genital warts. Pale or reddish nodules that often appear in groups and occur on the lips, vagina, penis, urethra, anal canal, and rectum. They are very contagious.
- Flat warts. They appear in the form of flat nodes and are mainly found on the female genitals. They increase the risk of developing cancer.
- Giant warts (Buschke-Levenshtein tumors). They grow into huge formations, destroying surrounding tissues. In rare cases, they can degenerate and lead to squamous cell carcinoma.
An infection of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract is also possible. The conjunctiva of the eyes may be affected, resulting in pink stalked growths.
It is more difficult to detect an asymptomatic course, which the doctor can only see with the help of auxiliary means such as acetic acid (causes discoloration of warts) or a microscope.
In addition, the virus can also settle into cells without any tissue changes. We then speak of latent infection, that is to say the presence of pathogens, but without symptoms. Once infected, this phase can last from several weeks to several months.
Possible consequences
When infected, viruses penetrate the cells of the integumentary tissue of the skin and mucous membranes, settle in the nuclei of cellular structures and multiply there. Typically, these HPV infections go unnoticed and heal on their own without consequences, since the immune system successfully fights the pathogen.
However, some types of HPV cause skin changes called growths. Possible forms include genital warts or condylomas and papillomas, which can affect, for example, the face, arms or legs.
The tissue changes caused are mostly benign, but can also degenerate and lead to cancer. For example, cancer can occur decades after HPV infection. Cancer of the female external genitalia (cancer of the vulva and vagina), anal cancer, cancer of the penis, and cancer of the mouth and throat (tumors of the head and neck) are also possible.
Establish the diagnosis
A test for HPV infection is carried out in women as part of preventive visits to the gynecologist. During a gynecological examination, a smear is taken from the mucous membrane of the cervix, this is called a Papanicolaou test (cytological examination). The resulting material is studied for tissue changes to determine precancerous conditions.
Additionally, an HPV test may be performed, in which cellular material from a mucosal swab or tissue sample is tested in the laboratory for the presence of certain viruses. However, this only proves that the affected area is infected, but does not tell whether tissue changes have occurred. So, an HPV test makes sense, especially when combined with a Pap test, and can help detect cancer precursors at an early stage.
If the test is positive, there is no cause for concern since infections do not always lead to cancer. Regular examination is recommended to detect tissue changes at an early stage. Conversely, a negative test result does not indicate whether there was a previous infection that the body successfully fought off.
For men, there is no preventive examination during which the test would be carried out regularly. If there is an underlying cancer, testing the tumor can determine whether HPV infection is causing the cancer.
Specialized DNA methods are also used in laboratory diagnostics, such as real-time PCR. Anogenital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11 are easily detected during a gynecological examination.
How to cure human papilloma virus
In most cases, the disease does not require treatment because it goes away on its own and viruses are no longer detected. However, if this is not the case, the infection may last longer and persist for months or even years.
To date, there are no methods of systemic influence on this virus that could completely destroy it. However, treating existing warts reduces the number of viruses, so that in many cases the immune system can fight off the remaining viruses and thus get rid of them. In some cases, the pathogens survive and can repeatedly cause disease symptoms.
- Plantar and genital warts can be treated with medications formulated with salicylic acid for topical application.
- Cryotherapy is also a method often used for HPV. In this case, the wart is burned cold, using liquid nitrogen.
- Lasers or electrocautery are also methods used.
For cancer caused by HPV, treatment is much more difficult. For cervical cancer, it is often advisable to remove the uterus, the upper part of the vagina and the ovaries respectively. This can be supplemented with radiotherapy to eliminate the possibility of relapse. Other cancers caused by HPV are most often treated with targeted therapy, such as radiation or chemotherapy.
It should be remembered that the operation is not a radical solution, but only solves an aesthetic problem, since after elimination the virus may remain in the surrounding tissues and warts may reappear.
Infection prevention
There are two vaccines: a bivalent vaccine against HPV 16 and 18 and a quadrivalent vaccine against HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18. Vaccination is recommended for all girls aged 14 and over.
Vaccination does not protect against all types of HPV. It is therefore recommended that all women aged 25 to 65, even vaccinated, undergo regular smear tests.
Timely detection and complete removal of warts reduces the risk of disease. The effectiveness of using condoms to protect against the transmission of infections can significantly reduce the risk of developing this disease. The most promising way to prevent and treat the early stages of disease caused by this infection is a specific multivalent vaccine.
Why plantar warts appear and treatment methods
Warts are skin lesions that appear in the form of special round formations protruding from the surface. They occur due to specific viruses.
These formations often cause physical discomfort due to their location. Even after treatment, they tend to recur.
Types and reasons
There are many varieties of warts; they are classified according to a certain number of characteristics:
- Simple. They occur on exposed parts of the body, arms, legs, face and scalp. They are generally not dangerous, but they are unsightly and can multiply quickly, affecting large areas of the skin. They are arranged like "families".
- Plantar. Their location is exclusively at the level of the feet. Causes discomfort when walking.
The main cause is infection with the human papilloma virus, which affects the mucous membranes and skin.
Human papillomavirus
It is one of the most widespread viruses on Earth. Infection can occur in several ways:
- contact and housekeeping (through touch);
- sexual (genital, anal, oral-genital);
- during childbirth from mother to child.
The period of development of the disease varies from several weeks to several decades, this is explained by the fact that the virus may not manifest itself for a long time, but as soon as immunity weakens a little, growthsappear immediately on the skin and/or mucous membranes. The main danger of this disease is that certain types of HPV are very likely to cause the formation of a malignant tumor (cancer of the skin or mucous membranes). To make sure that the disease will not lead to the formation of a tumor, it is necessary to undergo a medical examination and not self-medicate.
Symptoms and types of warts on the foot
A plantar wart appears as a callus-like thickening with a layer of horny skin. This hinders walking and causes pain. The passive state is characterized by slow reproduction, not reaching the stratum corneum of the epithelium, therefore this condition does not manifest itself externally.
The active state is characterized by the fact that the virus develops rapidly and, rising to the upper layers of the epidermis, manifests itself with numerous symptoms. The plantar wart is also called thorny wart, chicken wart. The virus enters upon contact with the skin through cuts and abrasions in the outer layer of the skin:
- First, a small yellowish-gray papule with an uneven surface appears.
- Gradually, the small element becomes dense and acquires a dirty color.
From the inside, a plantar wart looks like fused papillae of different sizes with a pinkish tint. Extra capillary vessels form there, causing bleeding if you get a wart.
Removal of plantar warts
It is worth treating a plantar wart if:
- There are painful sensations.
- The wart is bleeding.
- There were stains on it.
- The wart grows quickly.
There are many treatment methods. One of them is cryodestruction. The meaning of the method is that the wart is exposed to liquid nitrogen with a temperature of minus 196 degrees. The area infected with the virus is frozen and the wart is removed.
The usual, aggressive exposure method is used. With the aggressive method, nitrogen is applied for a few seconds longer, but this method is more painful. It is important to note that if a wart appears and exists for more than six months, then the effectiveness of cryodestruction is significantly reduced and therefore the meaning of such an operation also disappears.
After removing a plantar wart using liquid nitrogen, you should follow a few recommendations:
- the blister remaining at the site of the wart cannot be opened;
- to avoid mechanical damage, use a sterile bandage rather than a plaster;
- Treat the affected area with 2% salicylic alcohol twice daily;
- try to prevent water from entering the affected area.
Another method is laser coagulation. This is one of the most common methods for removing warts. Most laser systems are equipped with a special cooling system. Thus, the procedure takes place with minimal discomfort and does not allow inflammation, since the laser has antiseptic properties. Additionally, it is a contactless method.
There are several ways:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. In this case, the treatment is carried out using infrared light. The method is 70% effective, but the downside is that healthy tissue can also be damaged.
- Erbium laser. This treatment method uses a shorter wavelength, which reduces the risk of scarring after surgery. The efficiency is generally 75%.
- Pulsed dye laser. With this method of exposure, the primary destruction of dilated capillaries in the wart and stimulation of the immune system, which contributes to effective healing. The effectiveness of the treatment is approximately 95%.
After laser treatment, a scab forms on the affected area, which disappears on its own within seven to ten days. Recommendations for this treatment method are the same as after exposure to nitrogen: avoid mechanical damage and water ingress.
The next way to remove warts is electrocoagulation. In this case, a high frequency current is applied to the wart. The treatment is carried out under local anesthesia. Exposing a wart to high temperatures causes the cells affected by the papilloma virus to evaporate. Another advantage of this method is that cauterization of blood vessels prevents bleeding. After surgery, a scab forms on the affected skin area, which disappears within 7 to 10 days.
A plantar wart can be treated with direct surgery. In this case, the excision takes place under local anesthesia, then sutures are applied. After the operation, the doctor will prescribe certain recommendations. Thus, it is recommended to prevent water and soap from entering the affected area, not to tear off the resulting crust, and to treat the affected area with an antiseptic during the first 7-10 days.
For each type of operation, there are certain contraindications. Therefore, it will be impossible to perform the operation in the following cases:
- pregnancy;
- diabetes;
- malignant tumors in the body;
- infection and inflammation around the wart;
- exacerbation of herpes;
- high temperature.
If your blood pressure is high, the procedure should also be postponed.
Treatment of warts without surgery
People often wonder how to remove a plantar wart without surgery. To do this, you can use pharmaceutical ointments and solutions.
Basically, these ointments have the following effects:
- anti-inflammatory;
- antiseptic;
- immunomodulator;
- antiviral;
- antifungal.
In addition, it may contain vitamin E, which also has a positive effect on treatment, since vitamins generally strengthen the body and reduce the risk of relapse.
It is important that these products be used for single, shallow plantar warts. In addition, if side effects occur, it is necessary to wash the drug off with plenty of warm water and immediately seek help from a doctor.
So, it is possible to cure warts, there are many ways to do this, but you should not do this without first consulting a doctor, so as not to harm your health. In addition, it is strictly forbidden to self-medicate if the attending physician prescribes contraindications.
Treatment of papillomas on the body
Hardware methods
Modern hardware methods of treating papillomas make it possible to get rid of them and prevent the development of a relapse of the disease. The most commonly used methods are:
- Cryodestruction is the destruction of growths by exposing them to low temperatures.
- Electrocoagulation is the cauterization of formations with an electric current, the intensity and frequency of which are selected depending on the size, type and density of the papilloma.
- Laser removal. The type of impact is clear from the name. The procedure takes no more than 15 minutes and helps get rid of unpleasant growths forever.
Medical treatment
Among the drugs used are celandine, castor oil, lapis pencil, Sani Skin and Dermavit preparations.
They demonstrate variable effectiveness and do not prevent relapses of the disease. The main disadvantage of drug treatment of papillomas is the frequent development of allergic reactions.
Prevention of papillomas
In order to prevent the appearance of growths and avoid infection with the human papilloma virus, you must:
- Use barrier contraception during sex.
- Follow the rules of personal hygiene and use only individual towels, soap and a toothbrush.
- When visiting public baths, do not neglect to wear rubber shoes.
You also need to normalize your daily routine, eat a balanced diet, give up bad habits and avoid stressful situations. These factors do not cause the disease, but can cause its development if the virus is already present in the body.